Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at 12 p.m.

VCU Human Resources and Recreational Sports will host mindful meditation, a moment of quiet reflection in the middle of the day. Register in Talent@VCU.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Almost since the beginning of computing, people have used computers to create choreography. This lecture-demonstration will introduce algorithmic choreography. The use of computers in dance will be discussed, specifically the making of Terpsicode, a programming language for live-coding dance performance scores created by Kate Sicchio. The event will be presented by VCUarts.

For more information, contact Kelly Kerr at kkerr@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/vcuarts-faculty-lecture-series-algorithmic-choreography-kate-sicchio/.

Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Duron Chavis, founder and director of Happily Natural Day, has transformed the ICA parking lot into a resiliency garden intended to help create a culture of urban farming and inspire city residents to make positive environmental and social change. In this session, Chavis discusses his vision. Those who attend may join via Zoom. To receive a link to join the sessions, contact the VCU Libraries Development Office at libdevelop@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/community-zooms.html.

Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a second fall 2020 Writing Retreat. The event will be facilitated by Sharon Zumbrunn, Ph.D., with a lunchtime keynote from national speaker Katie Linder, Ph.D. Participants will receive tools and ideas for creating and maintaining a scholarly writing pipeline for articles, books, conference proposals and other projects that can be applied to any stage in their academic career. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://mailchi.mp/81c34eceab2b/vcu-ctle-newsletter-apr-17-1901090?e=b3670eec9e.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at 5 p.m.

The VCU chapter of Student National Medical Association will host a panel discussion in conjunction with a screening of the documentary, "HEARD: An Insight Into Life in Richmond's Public Housing." A link to the documentary will be sent to participants who RSVP, and a panel of Richmond community members will explore the challenges of public housing. Each participant is asked to contribute $5 as part of a fundraiser for the Better Housing Coalition. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Victoria Ngo at ngovm2@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/Nfe9JpUE5vnYQ8mb7.

Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Learning, Development and Organizational Culture team will present a workshop exploring unconscious bias — social stereotypes about groups of people that form outside our own conscious awareness. Participants will examine the origins of unconscious bias, its impact on individuals, organizations and societies and tactics to combat unconscious bias and stereotypes. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shana Ryman at sryman@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/DeepLink/ProcessRedirect.aspx?module=lodetails&lo=2c820efa-f877-490a-95bf-9f4d16dae890.

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Join Antonio Abbate, M.D., Ph.D., director of the VCU Health Clinical Research Unit, and Joni Greer, RN-BC, nurse manager for the Clinical Research Unit, as they discuss best practices and engage in discussions centered around the reactivation of research for VCU Health. This is the first in a monthly series hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lauren Harris at lauren.harris@vcuhealth.org or visit https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtcOGrrzIiH9LVuMf1p6IySJYGmRrRemtn.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 at 1 p.m.

VCU's Records Management Office will hold Records Management 101 training online via Zoom. Training will cover recordkeeping requirements and practices to be compliant with state regulations and university policy. Register in Talent (keyword "records"). Busy but can’t make it? Try self-paced Records Management 101 training available in Blackboard.

For more information, contact Amber Peranski at aperanski@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2097.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Amanda Hall, Ph.D., and Maghboeba Mosavel, Ph.D., will lead the first in a three-part series hosted by the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Participants will be introduced to the conditions and contexts for community-engaged research while exploring the fundamental principles and approaches to it, as well as the skills needed to work with community members. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rob DiRenzo at direnzor@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dCJu78WzS2W1V-vO5lt5nw.

VCU Libraries' services and spaces will remain available Nov. 30 through Jan. 23 with reduced hours after the exam period. Both James Branch Cabell Library and Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences buildings will be closed Dec. 19 through Jan. 3. Vast collections of online resources remain available 24/7.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2020-news/winter-break-2020.html.

The $19,500 per plan annual limit for salary deferrals to the university's 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan and the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan will remain in force for 2021. An additional $6,500 per year catch-up deferral will continue to be available in each plan for participants who reach age 50 or over in 2021. Recurring salary deferral elections in effect as of the Dec. 31, 2020 university pay date continue automatically in 2021 with no action required.

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/tax-deferred-annuity-and-cash-match-programs/.

The Cashier's Office at Grace Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave., will be closed Nov. 30-Jan. 18. The office will reopen Jan. 19. During this time incoming items and items from the dropbox on the second floor of the VMI Building, 1000 E. Marshall St., will still be processed. Items may also be hand-delivered to VCU Mail Services at the Valentine House, 920 W. Franklin St.

For more information, contact Lee Francis at ycfranci@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8774.

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is in full swing. The CVC is the fundraising effort for deserving charities and has helped thousands of charities and their beneficiaries. Questions: https://www.cvcgives.org/.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/cvc/.